Ari clutches her tablet with her right hand, wearing an anxious smile, extending her left.

We walk towards Room 9, and the doors open before, then close behind us. She tries to hide her face.

"Come on now," I smirk to her.

"Okay," she nervously giggles.

I lead her to the edge of the bed, and she places her tablet to her left side, still holding my hand with her right. I grab her other hand, and scoot closer to her.

She looks uncomfortably red. "First time?"

"No, but it feels like it, all over again," she shakily says, clutching tightly to my hand.

Her thick, straight black hair-- done in a singular ponytail extending to hips-- brushes against my knuckles, and I grab and examine a handful.

"Damn, it's so long," I bring the bundle of hair in front of us.

"Yes, thank you, I'm very proud of it."

Moving my hand to reach her waist, I slowly untie her apron. She quietly gasps as I remove my tank top and come back to her, holding the back of her head for a kiss.

She takes a deep breath in, clutching her knees around my waist. "I guess the other girls were right."

We kiss again before I start to unzip her dress at her back. She touches her forehead against mine. In the corner of my eye, I see the Lori plush, which I motion to block from Ari's sight, holding her left leg, and removing one of her stockings. Our foreheads touch as we roll around in a playful struggle, undressing more at every turn.

~~

"Cory?"

"Mhm?"

She pauses, hand and face on my chest.

"Yes...?"

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

"I'm sorry, I- how can I even say it? Where.... what.... oh, never mind."

"Now I'm more curious," I chuckle.

"I wish we could... do more than just what the Compound wants from us."

Ah, shit. Now it's my turn to hesitate.

"I kinda do too, but... what are my options, really?"

"I guess we can dream," she glumly mutters, scooting to lay on top of me, placing her nose at my neck.

She runs her hands across my arms, until she hits something under the pillow.

"Hmm?"

She pulls out the Lori plush. "Who's this?"

No, Cory. She deserves the truth.

"It's... ugh. It's Lori. The Jackal Hunter."

"You seem disappointed. Why is that?" she calmly tilts her head at me.

"I'm just a huge fanboy, that's all."

"Does this embarass you?"

"Kind of."

"She's quite attractive. Certainly more a-"

"Shhh," I place a finger on her lips. "Don't worry about that."

"What?"

I pause again. "There's no point to compare yourself to others."

"Is there anything wrong with me admiring another woman?"

"No, but-"

She places a finger on my lips and grins.

I giggle back.

"Do you like her?"

Damn you, Ari. You're a sweetheart, but damn you.

"S-sort of. But part of me thinks she's not real. Plus she's a celebrity."

"My art is not real. People can like it anyway, can they not?"

"Sure, but... are you insecure about me liking Lori instead of you?"

"Any given Chosen has tons of insecurities. But a lot of them just sleep around to blind themselves to the anxiety. I'd like to think I'm a bit different."

"As in, you want to commit?"

"Kinda, yeah. I know it's a tall order, but I want to find a Golden Boy like you to stick around with for... years, I guess. But if I do my art career, I don't know if they'll give me a contract that lets me come and leave as I wish."

Now she's just trying to make my heart melt.

"You're an angel, but I don't think I'm going to be around here for too much longer, Ari."

"What does that mean?"

"Something about this entire place rubs me the wrong way. And I... I want something that it just can't offer."

A hint of alarm crosses her face. "What? Why?"

"I want to leave. Because Lori is who I really think about."

She looks at me with confusion. "I mean... I don't mind that you have an idol--"

"No, I meant that I want Lori. You deserve someone who's focused on you and only you."

"Cory, that's okay. I--"

"No. It's irresponsible for me to keep dangling you along when I'm actually thinking of someone else. Please. You deserve better." I touch her face, admiring her. "I hope I showed you a good time."

She looks at me for almost 10 seconds, before quietly muttering, "Okay."

Her grip weakens, and she slowly gets up from me, covering her frontside with her clothes, grabbing her tablet, and slowly walking away with her head hung. After redressing, she leaves the room with her head down.

I put on my shorts and follow her out. She's in a hurry away from me. As I catch up, I put a hand on her shoulder. "Ari, please, I just want you to know--"

She swats it away, sobbing, continuing on her way. I sigh in defeat, standing in the hall like a moron.